Culver City

1 Arrested in Groping Attacks on Los Angeles Women

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Police made one arrest and were seeking an additional suspect in a series of sexual battery attacks on young women in the Palms and Venice areas of Los Angeles.

The assailants separately approached women walking or jogging alone during early evening hours, grabbed the victims' buttocks or breasts, and then fled on foot, on skateboard and sometimes in a silver Mercedes Benz sedan, police said in a statement Tuesday.

The assailants were not seen together, but police said they were likely working in concert.

Detectives identified as many as 13 possible incidents between May 14 and June 19, and additional attacks may have occurred in Culver City and Marina del Rey.

Police said video provided by neighbors led them to obtain a license plate of the vehicle and the arrest Monday of Darryll Mercadel, 21.

Online jail information showed he was being held on $275,000 bail Tuesday. It was not known if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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